Flip Flop and Try

I anticipated the universe would intrude upon my "ideal" thru hike in some manner, and as expected I am challenged with conforming my ideal with reality.  This is not a bad thing, as I will still traverse the same number of miles and see the same scenery and pass the same white blaze markers of the trail.  It just won't be in the order, direction, or time frame I had originally planned.  Unless I figure out how to bend space-time to my will, this involves

The Lull Between Disasters

As I imagine will be the case on the trail, so I have noted of late the spans of time between things worth mentioning.  I am working the plan, hiking the hike so to speak.  At this point the plan involves paying down the last balances on the credit cards (to the dismay of the credit card companies), and retaining employment without strangling my coworkers so as to accomplish said credit card paying.  In other words, life as usual.

Let's Make Some Whoopie [Slings]

Tinkering is one of those thing that satisfies the best parts of the human brain, or at the very least the male human brain.  For some it is much like smoking crack, except crack isn't nearly as addictive nor is it as much a burden on ones wallet.  This, I think, is why poor folk tend to do drugs instead of tinkering.  Too many times have I gone beyond my means with trying a new gadget only to be disappointed in what it couldn't do then promptly taking it apart to see if I could fix the perceived deficiency thus voiding the warranty and any chance of getting my money back.

This is why I stay poor and mostly humble.

First Flight of the Blackbird

I spent Saturday night testing my new hammock, the Warbonnet Blackbird I posted about several weeks ago.  Here is what I have to say about the experience.

It was interesting.  Being the first time I'd camped out in a hammock it took some adjustment and finagling to get comfortable.  Add to that my inability to regulate body temperature well and the lack of my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea, and it wasn't what I would call a fully restful night.  But it also wasn't horrible.

I awoke

Hanging Myself - Update

After further deliberation, and a good measure of impatience, I decided today to just purchase a hammock rig and be done with it.  I like the artsy crafty stuff, but sometimes if someone out there already does something well enough, it is better to just shell out the bucks and save oneself the headaches.

I decided on a heavy duty Warbonnet Blackbird double 1.7oz rig with the adjustable suspension system.  I would have gone for one of the lighter models, but I'm fat and need the extra material to hold my wide ass.  It will undoubtedly serve my needs, and comes highly rated by many hangers on Hammock Forums.

Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7

Fortunately I believe my Ray Jardine tarp-tent will serve my needs for the tarp part of this rig, but will know for sure once I set the whole thing up.  If not, my wonderful wife may need to break out the sewing machine again. The double hammock will also permit me to use the Thermarest Neo-air pad for added insulation until such time as I can acquire or make an underquilt.

If all of this sounds a bit confusing, yet at the same time intriguing, I would recommend you head over to the hammock forum site and educate yourself on the finer points of hammock camping.

Meanwhile, I will be impatiently awaiting my new toy.

Peace.